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A Little Freckled Person 

<iA ‘Book 
of Qbild Verse 







A LITTLE FRECKLED PERSON WHO HAS NEVER MUCH TO SAY 




A Little 
Freckled Person 

A Book of Child Verse 


BY 

MARY CAROLYN DAVIES 

WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY HAROLD CUE 



BOSTON AND NEW YORK 
HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY 
(Sbe Cambciboe 

1919 




COPYRIGHT, 1919, BY MARY CAROLYN DAVIES 
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 



btr 10 i9iy 


©CI.A530805 


Illustrations 


A little freckled person who has never much 
to say Frontispiece 

A rabbit works its ears, and tries To watch 
you with its rabbit eyes 4 ^ 

Weed the garden, carry wood 8 

I like the kitten of my friends 30^ 

Unfinished wings Are such curious things 36 ^ 

While I ’m washing dishes, or scraping out 
the skillet 58 

I ’d like to be a pirate, A scarlet scarf about 
my neck, a cutlass at my wrist 80 

They are thirsty, so we give Water first 
that they may live 


100 


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A Little Freckled Person 

They think I ’m just a little girl 
At study, work, or play, — 

A little freckled person who 
Has never much to say. 

They do not know a princess oft 
In golden gown am I, 

With cheeks like apple petals soft 
And eyes like sea or sky. 

They only see my tumbled braids. 

They do not know I wear 
A crown with turquoises and beryls 
Upon my coiled-up hair. 

They do not know adventures dire 
Beset me, land and sea. 

That page and courtier, knight and squire. 
Before me bend the knee. 


That haughty ships with silken sails 
Upon my bidding go — 

All these, and other happy things, 
They cannot, cannot know. 

They only see a little girl 
At study, work, or play, — 

A little freckled person, who 
Has never much to say I 


The Selfish Sea 


The sea is very, very wide: 

It takes up all the room outside ; 
And when I stand beside the sea, 
It comes right up and pushes me I 


The Rabbit 


A rabbit works its ears, and tries 
To watch you with its rabbit eyes; 

Its saucy little tail it flounces, 

And when it hits the ground it bounces ! 



TO WATCH YOU WITH ITS RABBIT EYES 



The Uncritical Kitten 

If I am selfish when I play 
My kitten likes me anyway 


[5 ] 


Next-Door People 


The next-door people have a bird, 

The yellowest you ever heard ! 

It hops, and chirps, and sings — and 
sings ! 

Are n’t next-door people pleasant things ! 


Probation 


Mother says : 

If you ’re thoughtful and polite; 

Go to bed at eight each night ; 
Always hasten to do chores 
And give up chairs for visitors, 
Weed the garden, carry wood. 

And be very still and good — 

Mother says: 

If you ’re faithful in your task; 
Never beg, but only ask ; 

Fold your napkin, say your prayers; 
Put no gum upon the chairs ; 

Keep your bureau drawer quite neat 
Never walk through pools, but on 
The sidewalk till the mud is gone ; 
And say “Thank you” often, and 
Sit erect and walk and stand ; 


And wash well behind your ears ; 
Always wait until it clears 
To wear your best clothes, and not fail 
To hang your coat upon its nail — 
You will find the people where 
You live, like to have you there ! 

Our house has a pleasant yard. 

I am trying very hard 1 


[ 8 ] 





Perhaps ! 


You never know, in this great world, what 
wonders there may be — 

Perhaps there ’s buried treasure out 
beneath our cherry tree ! 


[9 ] 


’Fraid Stars 


The stars are like us children here, 
Not any older grown: 

At night, the little ’fraid stars stay 
Together in the Milky Way — 
The brave ones stand alone I 


[ lo ] 


The Stars 


The stars are lighted candles 
Upon a Christmas tree ; 

(The branches, that they hang upon 
We cannot ever see :) 

On Christmas Eve the angels stand 
About it after tea. 

And if an angel ’s very good 
He gets a present, as he should. 


As You Would Be Done By 


Of course I believe in fairies I 
Of course I know they ’re true I 
— Just think, if you were a fairy, 
And no one believed in you ! 


Drawing 


Upon my slate I draw 
Strange things I never saw, 
Nor you, nor any one I 
But oh, it is such fun ! 


The Fishing-Pole 

A fishing-pole ’s a curious thing : 

It ’s made of just a stick and string 
A boy at one end and a wish ; 

And on the other end a fish I 


Sympathy 


Little fishing-boat, a blur 
On the ocean blue, 

Don’t you ever wish you were 
A little taller, too ? 

I ’ve a birthday ! Look at me 
As you dart and dip ! 

Grow, and maybe soon you ’ll be 
A white-sailed ship 1 


[ 15 ] 


The Forest School 


The little firs demurely stand 
In studious rows, on either hand, 
On winter days about like these. 
All learning to be Christmas trees. 


White Cherry 

The moon ’s a white cherry, 
For sale in the sky, 

And each one admires it. 

But no one will buy. 

Oh, cherry that lies 

On the shop-window shelf. 
When I have a penny 
I ’ll buy you myself! 


[ 17 ] 


The Independent Kite 


A kite is very nice to own ; 

It never, never grieves you, 

’Cept when it wants to play alone 
And just goes off and leaves you 


Practicing 


The black notes are the bridegrooms, 
The white notes are the brides I 
And I ? Why, I ’m the minister and all 
the guests besides I 


[ 19 ] 


Fairyland Secret Service 

A snowflake is a letter 
A fairy in the sky 
Is sending to the fairies here, 

And, when they ’ve read its message clear, 
Lest any one should spy. 

They purse their little lips and blow 
To melt that tell-tale note of snow. 

Oh, let us see if we can snatch 
And read a Fairyland dispatch ! 


A Book 


A book ’s a magic sort of thing 
That makes you sailor, chief, or king 
When I am old, and own a shelf, 

I think I ’ll have a book myself! 


The Lonesome Sea 

The sea is so lonely 
Now winter is here, 

I wish we could only 
Go down to the pier, 

And say to him kindly, “Don’t think, Mr. 
Sea, 

We ’ve forgotten you quite, for we have n’t, 
not we ! 

“ Last summer we scurried 
All sudden, I know. 

From the beach. Don’t be worried ! 

We hated to go! ’’ 

I should like to go clear to the end of the 
pier. 

For he ’s lonesome ; and tell him, “ We ’re 
coming next year I ’’ 


The Mountains 


The mountains do not stir, or show 
Emotion when Spring comes, I know ; 
But though they are restrained by pride, 
I think that they are glad inside I 


When Dolly is Afraid 


When lights are standing in the street; 
And on the sidewalk all the feet 
Are quiet, and it ’s growing late, 

And our brown clock is striking eight : 

I pack the animals and ark. 

And push them deep into the dark ; 

And in a quiet row I lay 
My cups and saucers ’til the day. 

But who could ever say Good-night 
And leave her doll in such a plight? 

I could n’t let her stay without 
A friend, and hear the dark about 1 

So she and I go straight upstairs ; 

She shuts her eyes while we say prayers. 
And then we lie and count up sheep 
U ntil we both are fast asleep. 

[ 24 ] 


It ’s not because I dread, at all, 
The darkness, that I keep my doll. 
But just because I think that she 
Would be so frightened without 


Tree-Children 


The little trees that to the breeze 
Make quaint and timorous courtesies: 

I like to come and play with these. 

Each grown-up pine that stands in line 
Is but a stranger great and fine — 

The little trees are friends of mine I 


The Cockatoo 


Green and yellow cockatoo, 

Won’t you let me talk to you? 

Or if you would kinder be 
Won’t you come and talk to me? 

Tell me all about the places 
Where the children have black faces, 
Armlets, anklets, copper rings ! 
Where the cannibals are kings! 

Has a hungry crocodile 
Ever met you with a smile? 

Have you taken many a trip 
In a rakish pirate ship? 

Cockatoo, cockatoo. 

How I ’d like to talk to you! 

But as you can guess, I ’d be 
Gladder if you ’d talk to me ! 

[ 27 ] 


High Cost of Living 

Among the angels — it ’s a shame 
To tell it — prices are so dear, 

They use the blown-out candle-flame 
To mend the ragged stars, this year! 


Need 


I like the kitten of my friends, 

I like its claws caught in my lace, 

I like the way each small ear ends, 

I like the black upon its face. 

I feel its heart beat in my hand. 

And then I somehow understand 
So many things I didn’t know: 

I ’m kinder, and my voice is low ; 

And I close doors more softly, too. 

And do the things I ’m told to do. 
Instead of wishing they were done. 

— But mother says we may n’t have one. 

I want a kitten all my own 
To play with when I ’m left alone. 

And when the family ’s gone away 
To shop, and work, and call, and play 
Tennis and other things. It’s all 
So queer and lonely in the hall 


And in the parlor, too, and in 
The sitting-room, where words have been 
But are not now. The chairs and I 
Wait through the hours, till by-and-by. 
Our only playmates little fears — 

There ’s room in all our lives, I think. 
For one small kitten, black as ink 
With two white spots behind its ears. 


I 

\ 



I LIKE THE KITTEN OF MY FRIENDS 






Sky-Color 


Blue skies are very apt to fade ; 

Dark colors wear the best, it’s true 
But who would choose a useful shade 
I want mine blue ! 


[ 31 ] 


Left Out 

If shoemakers’ children are left with feet 
bare 

I ’ve wondered and wondered (I don’t 
think it’s fair) 

If maybe at Christmas there are n’t any 
toys 

Left over for Santa Claus’ own girls and 
boys! 


[ 32 ] 


The White Birch 


A white birch grows 
In the deepest wood. 

If you are good 
And the stars are right 

— Who knows? — 

You may see, some night, 
The nymphs stand under 
The sea-green heave 
Of its boughs, in a row. 

— But if you wonder. 
They will fade and go. 

— You must just believe! 


The Playmate 


Last year I played with the country, 
This year, with the sea. 

Now the queer old city 

Stops and plays with me. — 

Stops in its counting of pennies 
(It never, never fails 
To know the time I ’m going to bed) 
And tells me fairy tales. 


Thanksgiving 


The turkey is a mournful bird 
From all that I have ever heard ; 
If he could live this day to see 
How very thankful he would be ! 


The Nest 


That tree has a nest, 

And if I lie 
Quite still, and if I 
Have luck, I may see 
Two heads or three 
Stretched out. Hark! hark! 

Wings sound I And a dark 

Shadow comes flying 

Through boughs. They are trying 

To reach the food that the large bird brings. 

Unfinished wings 

Are such curious things ! 

They are almost old enough to fly. 

The three. If they knew 
As I do, and you. 

That nests are cozier than the sky I 


[36] 



UNFINISHED WINGS ARE SUCH CURIOUS THINGS 



The Orange 

The sky is a greedy child 
Who holds one 
Yellow orange in her hand: 
It is the sun. 

She holds it primly: 

Then, hid from sight, 

All in the darkness, 

Eats it at night. 


I Almost Got to Fairyland One 
Day — 

I almost got to Fairyland, one day — 

I walked out straight along the sun-path, 
so. 

And there were little hummings in the 
world. 

And moving things went through the 
grass, and all 

The air was just as glad as if there were 
A party, somewhere, at a fairy’s house. 

I knew they had a party, and I knew 
That they had kept a seat for me, if I 
Could only find the right turn in the road. 
I was so near to Fairyland, so near 
That I could almost hear the fairy gates 
Swing open for me, waiting — just for me. 
I was so near to Fairyland — and then. 
Just then, I heard my mother calling me ; 


[ 38 ] 


“Come in to supper, dear,” I heard her 
call ; 

And so I never got to Fairyland. 

I know that there are fairies, though, be- 
cause 

I almost got to Fairyland one day. 


Untrained Trains 


A train should never jump the track ; 
Such rude behavior shows a lack 
Of poise — it ’s really a disgrace ! 

A train should know its proper place ! 


Handicapped 


I run as fast as I can go 

When trains run past our place ; 
They ’re bigger far than I, and so 
They always win the race ! 


A Sunset 


Life seems so sweet! I don’t know why, 
Perhaps ’t is just because the sky 
Put on, to-night, to make me glad, 

A dress I did n’t know she had. 


To Ships 


Tall ships, tall ships, sailing out to sea. 

Have you in your dreaming hearts any 
room for me. 

For a little singing maid who would sail 
with you 

Out to where the ocean miles are blue, 
blue, blue? 

Tall ships, tall ships, loosening from shore. 

Steering all by star-craft, and sailing ever- 
more. 

Take a little wishful maid with you as 
you go ! 

I would feel the ocean tempests blow, 
blow, blow! 

Tall ships, tall ships, see, I stretch my 
hands I 


Pray you, take me with you to far and 
foreign lands I 

Ships, an eager little maid prays that she 
may be 

Sailing, as you sail, forever free, free, free I 


[ 44 ] 


Sea-Butterflies 

The sea is like a garden green, 
The spray like daisies white ; 
And one full rose alone is seen, 
The great red sun at night. 

A-fluttering in their loveliness 
The ships against the skies 
Are just — as any one can guess 
The garden’s butterflies ! 


I 45 ] 


Buds 


The buds have come to town; 

Demure and brown 
Their coats ; and under, see, 

How can such fragile, fairy colors be ? 

The buds have come to us 
All tremulous. 

We ’re quite as glad as they. 

Take off your cloaks, dear little buds, 
and stay I 


( 46 ] 


The Flower Cart 


The flower cart ’s coming down the street, 
With tulips red and tulips sweet; 

And from the wagon color spills 
Of hyacinths and daffodils. 

And purple rhododendrons grow 
Beside the roses in a row. 

Oh, let us hasten down to spend. 

Before the flower cart rounds the bend ! 
Oh, let us bring our pennies and 
Hold all of Spring within our hand. 


[ 47 ] 


Eavesdroppers 


The stars lean down and listen, 

At fairy-story time ; 

They twinkle and they glisten 
To hear each happy rhyme; 

To all our cheerful singing 
The little stars beat time. 

The stars lean down and hear us, 
They know it ’s not polite. 

But then, they cease to fear us, 
About this time of night. 

They creep and edge up near us, 
Although it isn’t right. 

Eavesdroppers ! But we love them, 
We leave a little space. 

And never crowd or shove them. 
Because, in any case. 

That stretch of blue above them 
Is such a lonely place ! 


Singing Secrets 

Bird up in the pine-tree-top, 
Tossing down to me 

Broken songs, to where I sit 
U nderneath the tree, — 

Bird up in the pine-tree-top. 
What is it you hear 

That you try to say again 
In your singing clear? 

What is it you see up there 
In the green and blue ? 

Does the world look very strange. 
Strange and fair to you ? 

Do you see some happy thing 
That you try to show 

In the eager chirps you toss 
Gayly down below? 

[49 ] 


You are singing secrets, bird, 
I am very sure. 

I can understand no word. 
But, oh, try once more ! 

Bird up in the pine-tree-top. 
Sing again to me ! 

Maybe I can hear it now ! 
Maybe I can see ! 


[ 50 ] 


The Day Before April 

No, little brown bird, go away, 

I have no time to dream to-day, 

I must do certain things, you see. 

I know not why, but it must be ! 
Here I must study foolish books. 
And not guess how the lilac looks ! 

Hush, little bird, and do not sing! 

I have no time to play with Spring! 


[ 51 ] 


The Corn 


The corn ’s like soldiers in a row. 

We ’ll stop and cheer them. Let ’s I 
The tassels are their waving flags ; 

The leaves their bayonets. 

They march to meet King Frost, their foe, 
The fight will soon begin. 

King Frost will conquer them, I know — 
But oh, if they could win 1 


If A Star — 


If a star were to say 
“ I will stay 

And watch Dawn bring the day,” — 
If a star were so bold 
Would the Moon-Mother old 
Let it stay in the sky ? 

— Try, star, try! 


[53 ] 


Dryad 


Dryad, hidden in this tree! 

Break your bonds and talk to me I 

No one ’s watching, only peep 
From your cave I The town ’s asleep ! 

No one knows I stand here, so 
Come! for they will never know! 

Tell me what you think of here 
When the moon is sharp and clear. 

When the clouds are over you. 
When the ground is wet with dew. 

Dryad, are you happy, say! 

Do you like to live this way ? 

[ 54 ] 


I will keep your secrets well, 

I will never, never tell! 

Dryad, hidden in our tree. 
Come, oh, come and talk to mel 


[ 55 ] 


The Duel 


Once a blotter met a blot 
In a still, secluded spot. 

Here’s the blotter, brave to see; 
But the blot — Oh, where is he? 


[56] 


The Littlest Cloud 

0 littlest cloud in all the blue, 
Don’t go so fast, for, see, 

I ’m just about the size of you ! 
Come down and play with me! 

But oh, if that ’s the only way — 
To come in raindrops, why, 

1 ’ll stay here by myself and play I 

I wouldn’t have you cry! 


[ 57 ] 


Princes 

Cinderella sitting in her dingy chimney 
corner, 

Delving in the ashes, with the smoke 
upon her eyes. 

With pots and kettles waiting, all her 
kinfolk by to scorn her. 

Longed perhaps to meet a prince, 
handsome, young, and wise. 

Maybe Sleeping Beauty on her couch 
within the castle. 

While her golden hair crept down to 
touch her silent feet, 

Dreamed about a rider with a scarlet cap 
and tassel 

Who would hack away the hedge and 
cry, “Awaken, sweet!” 


[ 58 ] 










WHILE I ’m washing DISHES, OR SCRAPING OUT THE SKILLET 




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While I ’m washing dishes, or scraping 
out the skillet, 

Or when I am sprinkling, or folding 
up the clothes. 

Sometimes I too dream ; it seems fool- 
ish-like to tell it . . . 

But their princes came at last 
and ... ah, who knows ? 


Our Share 


Babies of Alaska, babies of Japan, 

Babies born to beads, or silk, or fez, or 
fur, or fan. 

None of all the babies that are toddling 
anywhere 

Is half so sweet a baby as the baby 
that ’s our share I 


[ 6o ] 


If I WERE Santa’s Little Boy 

If I were Santa’s little boy 
(If there ’s a family 
Of Santa Clauses in the sky 
Or where their home may be), 

If I were Santa’s oldest son 
(I only hope that he has one I) 

And my papa should say to me, 

“ What Christmas present, son, would be 
The very thing you ’d like to see 
Within your stocking Christmas Day ? ” 
I wouldn’t stop to think, (would you?) 
But say, 

“ I want to drive the sleigh !” 

And then when Christmas Week had 
come, 

At nearly dawn on Christmas Day, 

I ’d load the sleigh with doll and drum ; 
And find where the reindeer were tied, 

[ 6i ] 


And hitch them quickly up, and I ’d 
Shout very loudly, “ Clear the way 1 ” 

And crack the whip and drive the sleigh 
Down from the Pole and past the clang 
Of loud icicles in a row, 

Blown by the wind, to where the gang 
Lives, in our street, and then I ’d shout. 
While frightened heads of boys stuck out 
From opened windows, in surprise. 

With tousled hair and sleepy eyes, 

I ’d shout out loudly so that they 
Could hear each single word I ’d say, 

“ Hey, Dasher, Dancer ! 

Faster, Prancer! 

Run as hard now as you can, sir! 

Stop your balking 

When I ’m talking I 

We must fill each Christmas stocking 

In a hundred million places I 

Dasher, Dancer, mind your paces 1 

Don’t you dare to break the traces ! ” 

[ 62 ] 


Then I ’d shake the reins and shout 
To milkmen that might be about, 

“ Clear the way 
For Santa’s sleigh, 

Because I ’m driving it to-day ! ” 


The Party Dress 


All year long the timid maple has been 
dressed in prim and sober 
Little plain utilitarian gowns of quiet 
tints of green ; 

But Spring is gone, and Summer ’s past, 
and now that it ’s October 
The modest little maple tree is cos- 
tumed like a queen. 

Just look now, through our window, and 
I ’m sure that you ’ll agree 

That her party dress is pretty as a party 
dress can be! 


[ 64 ] 


The Clock That Autumn Winds 

School is like a clock that stops 
In vacation time. 

— Tick, tock; tick, tock — 

A sing-song rhyme. 

Every school day is a minute. 

This clock has long minutes in it ! 

In vacation time it stops 1 
Not a sound at all ! — 

Not a tick, not a tock ! 

— Hanging on the wall 
Waits the clock until Fall finds it. 
Stands upon a chair and winds it ! 


[65] 


Conversation 


In proper sentences of purr 
And monosyllables of mews 
When I have told my news to her, 
My kitten tells me kitten news. 


The Homesick Star 

The candle stood beside my bed 
And dropped a little tear ; 

I sat up, shivering, and said, 

“ I know you ’re lonesome here ; 

“ You ’d rather have the sky than me ; 
You ’ve been too kind by far 

To say so. Now I ’ve guessed, you see. 
That you ’re a homesick star ! 

“ I ’ll send you home again, for I 
Was homesick once, and know ; 

And when you ’re safely in the sky 
And I am here below, 

“ Then don’t forget me, candle, please. 
But twinkle very plain 

On dark, dark nights about like these 
Above my window pane.” 

[ 67 J 


Then, (though I am afraid at night 
That thieves might be about,) 

I screwed my eyes up very tight 
And blew the candle out 1 


[ 68 ] 


The Lonesomest Fairy 

There ’s a dewdrop shining bright 
On the grass by the sun undried, 
It ’s a tear that fell in the night 
When the lonesomest fairy cried. 


The Present 


The sky is like a Christmas tree, 

The burning stars its candles be ; 

The moon ’s a bulky gift and odd, 
Marked, “To the World, With Love, 
From God.” 


Grief 


Forget it soon? It’s ’cause I know 
That I ’ll forget, I ’m crying so I 


[ 71 ] 


The Saturdays’ Party in Fairyland 

All the Saturdays met one day 
(Each was very polite, they say), 

They shook each other by the hand. 

And had a party in Fairyland 1 

They would n’t let any Monday in. 

And not one Tuesday at all could win 
Her way past the supercilious crowd I 
And Wednesdays — why, they weren’t 
allowed ! 

Thursdays could only stand in the 
street 

And look through the door at the things 
to eat I 

And the Fridays and Sundays pretended 
they 

Did n’t like parties, anyway I 

[ 72 ] 


But the Saturdays had the greatest fun ! 

They played “ Hop-scotch ” and “ Run- 
sheep-run,” 

And “ Frog-in-the-meadow,” and “Pull- 
away ! ” 

And everything else they wanted to 
play ! 

They used the Throne for “ Musical 
Chairs ” 

As if the Fairy Queen’s house were 
theirs ! 

In rooms enchanted they ran and hid, 

And whatever they wished they could do, 
they did! 

And after they ’d played and played and 
played. 

They had pink straws in their lemonade I 

And the cookies and tarts were like a 
dream I 

And all the Saturdays had ice-cream I 


I ’d my doubts when I heard — And you 
have yours — 

But strange things happen on Foreign 
Shores ! 

And they say that the best fete ever 
planned 

Was the Saturdays’ party in Fairyland 1 


The Sorrows of a Seamstress 

I ’m learning to sew ; I ’m basting 
And hemming, and all that. 

But I wish that the eye were bigger 
Or the thread not quite so fat 1 


[ 75 ] 


My Mother’s Garden is the Sea — 

My mother’s garden is the sea 
If it is viewed aright. 

The sweet alyssum borders are 
The ocean’s breakers white; 

The butterflies and humming-birds 
Are sea-gulls flying o’er; 

And in our gravel garden path 
I pace a foreign shore ! 


[76] 


The Gymnastic Clock 


The little clock is friends with me, 

It talks as plain as plain can be, 

And says, each morning as it rises, 

“ Now, don’t forget your exercises ! 

Both hands above your head, you know ! 
Then lower them very slowly, so ; 

Ho, don’t get tired and stop, that way ! 

I exercise like this, all day ! ” 

Right in its face then, I say, “Pooh! 

I would n’t boast of it, like you. 

But I can swing my arms ’round, too 1 ” 
And so the clock then looks at me. 

And I look back, and I and he 
Each single morning, when we rise. 

Just exercise and exercise! 


Snowflakes 


The fairies called snowflakes all dressed 
up in white, 

They went to the dance, and were dancing 
all night. 

And now they lie tired, where sleep 
chanced to o’ertake them. 

Step lightly, speak softly, take care not to 
wake them! 


Pirate Song 


A pirate, a pirate ! 

I ’d like to be a pirate ! 

A black-bearded pirate, with a pistol at 
my side ! 

With a crew to take my orders 
And scour the ocean’s borders, 

I ’d tramp along the quarterdeck, my ship 
upon the tide ! 

A pirate, a pirate ! 

I want to be a pirate 
A-sailing off to Tartary, to India, and 
Spain ! 

I ’d show them I was master. 

As we scudded fast and faster. 

We pirates bold, a-search for gold, across 
the Spanish Main ! 

A pirate, a pirate ! 

I ’d like to be a pirate, 

[ 79 ] 


A scarlet scarf about my neck, a cutlass 
at my wrist ! 

With my boots of shining leather 
Creaking when they rubbed together, 
And a foeman lank, to walk the plank, 
whenever I ’d insist 1 

A pirate, a pirate ! 

I want to be a pirate ! 

To sail the seas for treasure, and to keep 
it in our hold ! 

To fear no foe nor nation — 

What a splendid occupation 
To be a doughty pirate in the daring days 
of old ! 

A pirate, a pirate ! 

But if I were a pirate, 

I could n’t have a pair of skates, a foot- 
ball, or a sled ! 

So, when I think it over, 

Though I ’d like to be a rover, 

I ’d rather live in our house, and be my- 
self, instead! 

[ 80 ] 



I ’d like to be a pirate 

A SCARLET SCARF ABOUT MY NECK, A CUTLASS AT MY WRIST 


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Our Playhouse is so Near to 
Fairyland — 

Our playhouse is so near to Fairyland 

I think the fairies come and peep, to see 

How children play. 

So sometimes when there ’s something in 
the grass 

That sounds like fairies’ footsteps very 
faint 

Not far away, 

W e sit quite still, all on the playhouse wall ; 

But though we wait and wait for them to 
speak 

They never do. 

Our playhouse is so near to Fairyland 

They ’ll come some day, and start to play 
with us, 

I think, don’t you ? 

[8i ] 


New Leaves 


It does n’t do you any good to hide, 
Trees ! Everybody knows you ’re there 
inside ! 

Besides, although you think you ’re hid 
complete 

— We see your feet 1 


Beach Birds 


Beach birds, beach birds, flying in to me. 

From the wide, blue palaces of your 
home, the sea. 

What have you to tell about, islands 
green and fair? 

Stories of the ships that tramp the trail 
to Everywhere? 

Have you seen a sailor lad dreaming at 
the wheel ? 

Have you seen the great sharks flash, 
white beneath a keel ? 

Have you seen the savages dancing in a 
ring? 

Have you, on a desert isle, ever seen a 
king? 

Beach birds, beach birds, flying in to me, 

In some far, blue palace-hall of your 
home, the sea, 

[ 83 ] 


Will you tell the listening birds how, in 
a curious land, 

Once — you saw a little maid, playing in 
the sand ? 


The Sky’s Song 


The sky stands up to sing before us ; 
Each star ’s a word, the moon ’s the 
chorus 1 


[85 ] 


A Spring Thought 


The new birds tweet, and buds come 
sweet, 

And puffy clouds are in the sky. 
The world is full of little girls, 

But very few as nice as I ! 


[ 86 ] 


The Zoo 


We were walking in the zoo, 

And all the animals looked at us ; 

The bear and the hippopotamus, 

And quite a few 

Lions and wolves and a yak and a gnu. 
And we were glad some one had made 
Cages around them, so that we 
Could walk there and not be afraid : 

But could just pretend that they were 
free ; 

And could eat us both — if they wanted 
to. 


[ 87 ] 


Six in June 

The leaves are born; the organ man 
Has got a new, quick tune. 

It ’s rained. The kitten ’s gone to 
sleep : — 

And I ’ll be six in June ! 


[ 88 ] 


Cloud Magic 


Beneath the comfortable sky 
All afternoon I love to lie, 

And think about the books I ’ve read 
And all the things I dream in bed, 
When I am not quite sleeping yet — 
The things that day makes me forget. 

The white clouds looked like ships one 
day. 

And then like lambkins strayed away; 
And, as I look, I understand 
Just where it is that’s Fairyland. 

It ’s only lying down, you know. 

The clouds make pictures for me, so 
When I stand up to see them, why. 
There ’s nothing there but clouds and sky ! 


[89] 


Ambition 


A lonely little desert isle 
That was not comforted 
By all the oceans mile on mile 
Sighed wistfully and said, 

“ It ’s hard sometimes to be content. 
I wish I were a continent ! ” 


[90] 


Tree Birthdays 


Look ! Look at me ! 

To-day’s my birthday, Tree! 

See, let me stand up, so, 

Beside you. How you growl 
I ’m tall, but oh, 

I ’ll never be as tall as you, I know! 
Tree, when ’s your birthday, please ? Why 
don’t you speak ? 

I seem so small. 

And you ’re so tall. 

Perhaps you have a birthday every week ! 


[ 91 ] 


In Autumn 


I ’m sorry, Trees, 

Your leaves have gone, and left you. But 
don’t cry ; 

Don’t shiver so. You ’re luckier than I ! 

When Summer ’s gone, and Fall ’s here 
stern and cool, 

I have to go to school. 

Don’t tremble. Trees! 

You should n’t mind. I wish that I were 
you! 

You don’t have fractions, no, nor maps 
to do. 

And no one tries to make trees keep a 
rule — 

/ have to go to school ! 


Star-Caste 


A star looked down upon the sea, 
And to a lighthouse trim said he, 
“ I wonder what you are ! ” 

The lighthouse twinkled instantly, 
“ Why, you ’re the aristocracy. 
And I’m a working star!” 


A Newsboy 


It must be hard to stand and stand . 
But think of pennies in your hand 1 


A Playground 

All the day, from dawn till dark, 
Nations play within this park. 

East and West are in that swing. 

Feet that crowd, and hands that cling. 

Europe leans to catch a ball. 

In the shadow of that wall, 

Asia sings and hugs a doll. 

All the day, from dawn till dark. 
Nations play within this park. 


[95l 


Moons 


Mountain moons are large and white, 
Mountain moons are round ; 

— I have seen the moons at night 
Growing from the ground, — 

And I like the seaside moons. 

In the sea-blue sky. 

But — in town, the moons are all 
So very far and high ! 


The Discovery 


It often rains in our town. And, you know, 

It always happens when we ’ve planned 
to go 

On walks or hikes, or somewhere out to 
play; 

It ’s curious how it seems arranged that 
way! 

We used to use those rainy days to 
pout, 

And stand there at the window looking 
out 

And wishing things about the weather — 
oh, 

I never knew a wish to change it, though I 

But now — the gladdest secret! We don’t 
need 

Our dad to tell us stories. We can read ! 

[ 97 ] 


We ’ve found that Fairyland is every- 
where — 

You open up a book and, why, you ’re 
there 1 


[98] 


Gardening is Heaps of Fun! 

Gardening is heaps of fun I 
We are partners with the sun, 

For we help him make things grow, 
With our spade and rake and hoe! 

First we spade the ground, then rake it; 
Ready for the seeds we make it ; 

Then in furrows carefully 
Plant them as they ought to be. 

Soon above the ground we spy 
Tiny green things push and pry. 

Little plants that from their night 
Wake and climb to find the light. 

They are thirsty, so we give 
Water first that they may live; 

Then the weeds we vanquish, so 
Each wee shoot may thrive and grow. 

[99] 


Busy raindrops, light, and air. 
Haste to come, our work to share. 
For to them too, every one. 
Gardening is heaps of fun I 


[ loo ] 



THEY ARE THIRSTY, SO WE GIVE 


WATER FIRST THAT THEY MAY LIVE 


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Fairy Town 
(a lullaby) 

In Fairy Town, in Fairy Town, 
Where Fairy folk go up and down. 
Where Fairy children, wee and gay. 
Frisk and romp in Fairy play. 
Every day ’s a holiday ! 

And every night is sweeter still. 

For when, behind the Fairy hill 
The tiny Fairy sun goes down. 

It ’s sleepy time in Fairy Town ! 

Sleepy time in Fairy Town ! 

Sleep, sleep — sleep — 

While the stars of Fairy Town 
Safe watch keep. 

All the Fairy babies, so. 

Off to Dreamland softly go — 
Sleep — sleep — sleep I 

[ loi ] 


Bedtime 


It ’s eight o’clock now, kitten, see ! 
Good-night! Sweet dreams of mice and 
me 1 


[ 104 ] 



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